During the middle school years (6th, 7th and 8th grades), students will take courses in math, language arts, science and social studies. Students will also have the opportunity to take elective courses.

Promotion from middle school to high school requires that students successfully complete the following academic courses:

• Three middle school or higher courses in language arts
• Three middle school or higher courses in mathematics
• Three middle school or higher courses in social studies, one of which must be civics with an end-of-course exam worth 30% of the course grade
• Three middle school or higher courses in science

Students who have been retained, are in danger of being retained and/or have not achieved an appropriate score on the FSA may be required to take additional basic skills courses instead of electives.

If a student scores below proficiency on the F.A.S.T. ELA, the student may be enrolled in an intensive reading course the following year. Students who score Level 2 on the F.A.S.T. ELA may receive reading instruction in an intensive reading course or in a content-area course in which reading strategies are delivered. Placement will be based on a diagnosis of the student’s reading needs.

If your child is struggling to meet grade level expectations in a particular subject or fails a course, you will receive a letter asking you to attend a conference. At that time a plan will be developed that will outline what type of extra help is needed both at home and at school.

Parents of students who are still struggling at the end of the first semester will receive a letter notifying them of the possibility that their child may be retained at the end of the school year. The decision to promote or retain a student is based on a number of factors, including grades and scores on standardized tests, particularly the FSA.                    

Middle schools offer intensive assistance and modified course schedules to help students meet grade level expectations and avoid being retained.